IDOXLR8

Has anyone replaced a clutch in a 79 Corvette with a completely original exhaust, this car has a Borg Warner Super T10. I know the exhaust is in the way on the true dual exhaust cars, my question is will this transmission come out with out moving the exhaust and has any one did this? Thanks in advance, AL.

IDOXLR8

Really! no one???

IDOXLR8

The most produced Corvette made and no replies to this thread? Is this post being posted?

'75

I don't know the answer, but I would be surprised if the original exhaust is in the way. Someone with first hand experience will chime in soon!

BKbroiler

For what its worth, I've pulled the automatic trans out of my 77 a few times. That required removing the trans crossmember which required dropping the exhaust. I have headers so that wasn't too bad. I don't think you can get a manual trans out without dropping the crossmember either.

dmruschell

The crossmember is not removable on cars that originally came with a manual transmission. (I currently own a 79 with a 4 speed and a 75 with an automatic.)

As for if the exhaust is in the way, I'm not sure.

rebel542

I have a 79 4 speed vette without the original exhaust. My crossmember is welded in. When I remove my transmission I have to first remove the shifter and all linkage, the little mount bolted to the crossmember and all bolts, cables, etc all. Push the tranny as far back as you can and the front input shaft will just clear the bell housing and you can drop the front down and the tranny will slip right out. Installation is the reverse.
Hope this helps.

Big Block Dave

I have a 74 4 speed car, and assume that your set up is the same or very similar to what mine was. I suspect that as someone else mentioned, your crossmember is not removable, the same as earlier years.

If you've been considering side pipes, and a hurst shifter, now is the time.
I can't imagine any way that the trans can come out without disturbing the exhaust.

You are going to drop the exhaust, enjoy disconnecting the factory shifter from the crossmember [if someone hasn't already done you the favor of putting in a Hurst], and then pulling the unit back, rotating it, getting the input shaft to angle towards the passenger side, and then maneuver it out.

Do yourself a HUGE favor, and cut the crossmember out of the car, and have mounting tabs welded on.

I did my clutch back in 2010, and recently swapped in a Richmond Overdrive... this time I cut the crossmember out.

joewill

i understand your issue.. original exhaust means that the manifold studs WILL break when you try to remove the exhaust.
When I have removed a corvette transmission 4 speed, everything was removed and up out of the way.. makes the removal/reinstall an easy one man operation..
... so, I don't know your answer so I whipped out my '70 chassis service manual.
It says to remove the right and left exhaust pipes....
not sure if the same procedure for applies to your 79. I expect it does.

IDOXLR8

Helps? Greatly! So in short you were able to remove the Borg Warner Super T10 with out removing the exhaust? I read the Super T10 is a bit longer then the Muncie. As I posted the car still has the factory Cat on it with muffler deletes pipes. I took the center console out and ready when the new clutch comes in, some one told me GM used all large clutches in 79, not sure, thanks, AL.

hugie82

You might be able to fish it out in pieces. Unbolt the shifter and separate the trans from the bellhousing. I had a similar problem with a GMC truck and I cut the pipes about a foot down from the manifolds. I used stainless steel band clamps to resecure the pipes. You can also get a competent welder to weld them in place.

IDOXLR8

Did not get any real direction on this one so for anyone removing a Borg Warner super T10 from a 79 Corvette it can be removed with out disturbing the the factory exhaust system.

IDOXLR8

Thanks to all on this one! Exhaust was not even a issue!

resdoggie

From my experience, if you don't do it this way, you'll have nothing but grief. Some recommend rotating the tranny and it will come out. Well, that doesn't work on my '76 and probably won't on a '79. I can't speak to your exhaust pipes. I have sidepipes and this alleviates alot of undercar headaches.

drwet

Glad to hear it. Did it really take six months to change a clutch?

IDOXLR8

LOL No, have a Day job, to kids that have cars wife's ride home repairs, Work on the 79 when I have the patients

IDOXLR8

Rotating the transmission is the only way it will come out, the service manual shows this.

resdoggie

Maybe I was rotating mine the wrong way because it didn't work for me. It literally fell out when using the method described. It also slipped right back in when using two guide bolts.

IDOXLR8

The tail shaft is off set, and when rotating it clockwise allows the tail shaft to go back more into the tunnel.

resdoggie

Mine didn't. It was catching up on the shifter bracket. So, I removed all that stuff. I'm not the only one who has run into this problem. That said, doing this alone under the car on 18" jacks at 62 yrs old maybe a contributing factor.